Control apparatus



May 9, I939. J. w. OW

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 SSES:

WITNE May 9 1939.

ATTORNE May. 9, 1939. j w, ow 2,157,863

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ITNESSES:

' fizz w? fi/O/a/ 4/ m f BY 3/ 7 ATTORNE Patented May 9, 1939 UNITEDSTATES CONTROL APPARATUS Joseph W. 0w, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor toWestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a.corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 26, 1936, Serial No.97,936

22 Claims.

My invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly tocontrol apparatus for circuit breakers.

In many forms of circuit breakers, particularly large oil circuitbreakers, the breaker is biased to open position by a spring or othermeans, and considerable energy is necessary to move the breaker to itsclosed position. It is important that such breakers be moved to theirclosed position in as short a period of time as is possible,particularly in instances where the breaker has been openedautomatically in response to some transient condition on the line inwhich it is connected. A rapid reclosing operation is necessary in thelater instance to prevent more than a very short interruption to theservice.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to provide electric closingmechanisms for closing circuit breakers in which a solenoid or motorsupplies the necessary energy throughout the closing stroke. Inputenergy was derived from a power line, battery or auxiliary line. Forbreakers requiring a large amount of energy to close the same, thecurrent is necessarily high and the capacity of the storage battery ortransformers must be sufficient to take care of the demands even thoughthey only last for from to 1 second with long intervening periods ofinactivity in which the breaker is normally closed or open. Thisdisadvantage has led to various schemes for closing a breaker by storingenergy either in the kinetic or static form by some means which requiresa relatively low input over an extended period of time. One method hasbeen to utilize the energy of rotating fly balls rotated by a smallelectric motor to efiect the closing or opening of the breaker. Anothermethod consists in utilizing the energy stored in a fly wheel to effectthe closing operation of the breaker. Few, if any, of the mechanismsembodying the above methods have proved entirely satisfactory from apractical standpoint for various reasons. One particular disadvantagehas been that the mechanisms heretofore used have occupied a relativelylarge space. Other disadvantages have been lack of eiiiciency andfailure to meet the requirement of a full automatic mechanism.

It is accordingly the primary object of my invention to provide animproved form of control apparatus for circuit breakers.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of controlapparatus which is highly efficient in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of controlapparatus for circuit breakers which is fully automatic in the sensethat it operates automatically to meet substantially all requirementsthat may be necessary in controlling the operation of a breaker.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of controlapparatus for circuit breakers which requires a low energy input over anextended period of time and which is capable of delivering a largeamount of energy over a short period of time for the rapid operation ofa breaker.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved form ofcontrol apparatus which is simple and rugged and which occupies aminimum amount of space.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved form ofcontrol apparatus for breakers which operates to effect a rapid closingoperation of the breaker and latches the same in closed position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control apparatus for acircuit breaker which may be either electrically or manually controlledto eiiect an opening or closing of the breaker.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of controlapparatus for a circuit breaker which utilizes stored energy to effect arapid closing operation of the breaker.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control apparatus for acircuit breaker which is capable of beginning the closing of the breakerat any point during movement of the breaker to its open position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control apparatus for acircuit breaker for eiiecting a rapid closing operation of the breakerand in which provision is made for interrupting the closing operation atany point in the same and allowing the breaker to move to its openposition in response to predetermined conditions.

In general, the apparatus of my invention consists of an energy storingmeans in the form of a flywheel, a motor for driving the flywheel andstoring energy in the same, a breaker operating rod, a differential geartrain and clutch mechanism for connecting the flywheel with the breakeroperating rod to close the breaker, and a plurality of electrical andmanual control devices for controlling the apparatus and breaker.

The above stated objects and others ancillary thereto, as well as thepreferred method of carrying out the invention will be made moreapparent by the following detailed description taken with reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein are shown views of the structuraldetails of the apparatus utilizing the principles of my invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus embodying the features ofmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line II-II ofFig. 1, with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate certainfeatures of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the appar' as will appearhereinafter.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the V apparatus shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a manual operating member for use withthe apparatus.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Fig.l; and,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the connection between the breakercontrol apparatus and the breaker.

The circuit breaker control apparatus illustrated in Fig. l is mountedon a base I of suitable construction which may be secured to a floor orsome other form of rigid support. Secured to the base in any suitablemanner, as by welding, is a main frame 2 which supports the entireapparatus. The main frame consists of a plurality of vertically disposedsupporting walls 3 and certain auxiliary supports secured thereto. Ahorizontally disposed shelf 5 is rigidly secured to one of said walls byany suitable means.

A standard motor 7 is mounted on the shelf 5 by means of bolts 9 passingthrough the motor base and engaging in openings provided in the shelf.As best shown in Fig. 7 the motor shaft has a helical gear ll keyed toone end thereof. A main shaft i3 is rotatably mounted on the frame bymeans of bearings i5, I! and I!) (Fig. 7) which are secured to portionsof the frame. A helical gear 2i carried by a hub 23 is secured to themain shaft by suitable means, such as a key connection, or by set screws25 as shown. The gear 25 is siightly larger than gear I l and mesheswith same. The gears are of such relative sizes that the main shaft isdriven at approximately two thirds the speed of the motor I. Arelatively heavy flywheel 2'! is secured to the end of the main shaftopposite the end carrying the gear 2|. The Weighted flywheelconstitutesan energy storing means for the breaker closing operation The flywheelis secured to the main shaft by any suitable connecting means, as forexample by the nut assembly 29. Provision may also be made for securingadditional weights to the flywheel in any suitable manner.

The mechanism for transmitting the energy stored in the flywheel to thebreaker operating rod 3i shown in Fig. 8 will now be described. Anauxiliary frame 33 is secured in spaced relation to the main frame 3 bymeans of the bolt, nut and spacer assemblies 35. A brake drum 3'! isrotatably mounted on a portion of bearing l9 which is carried by theauxiliary frame 33. A brake band M is mounted concentrically withrespect to the drum and is adapted to grip the same when the band istightened.

A hollow shaft 13 is rotatably mounted in the bearings 15 and ii and isconcentricaily disposed about the main shaft H3. The hollow shaft isprovided with a square portion to which is clamped a lever arm M, bymeans of the bolts 49, a cross piece 5i, and nuts 53 as best shown inFig. 2. The end of the lever arm 4'! carries a pin 55 to which ispivotally connected one end of a curved arm 5?. A breaker operating rod3! is connected to a socket assembly 59, provided on the other end ofthe curved arm. The breaker operating rod connects the lever arm 41 withthe breaker operating mechanism through the medium of a pair of pivotedbell crank levers 6| in the manner shown in Fig. 8. It will thus be seenthat rotation of hollow shaft 43 and squared portion 45 in a clockwisedirection will cause downward movement of the breaker operating rod toeffect a closing of the moving contact 62 of the breaker. Figs. 2 and 8show the lever arm 41 in the position in which the breaker is closed. Adifferential gear mechanism is provided for transmitting the rotation ofshaft l3 to the hollow shaft 43. This mechanism consists of a number ofteeth 63, six teeth in the embodiment shown, carried by the main shaft.These teeth form a sun gear which meshes with a pair of diametricallydisposed planetary gears 65. The planetary gears are rotatably mountedon pinions 61 which are carried by the brake drum 3] and a spider 64.The teeth of the planetary gears in turn mesh with seventy-two internalgear teeth 69 formed on a drum II which is formed integral with thehollow shaft 43 and I which extends within the brake drum 31.

The operation of this portion of the mechanism will be brieflydescribed. The rotation of the motor shaft is transmitted to the mainshaft I3 by means of helical gears II and 2|. The sun gear 63 on themain shaft drives the planetary gears 65 causing them to climb theinternal teeth of drum ll, since the drum is held stationary by itsconnection with the breaker which is biased by a strong spring to theopen position. The gears 65 being rotatably secured tothe brake drum 31rotate the same at a reduced speed. The drum H in practice hasseventy-two internal teeth which, with the six teeth on the sun gear,gives a gear ratio of 12 to 1. This ratio is quite high and thearrangement provides a large reduction in a relatively small space. Whenthe brake band is tightened either manually or by an electromagnet aswill be described hereinafter, the rotation of the brake drum 3'! isstopped resulting in a reaction which causes the drum 1| to be driventhrough the intermediate planetary gears 65 by the sun gear 63. Thus therotational energy stored in the flywheel, which is mounted on the sameshaft as the sun gear, is transmitted through the above described gears,and the hollow shaft carrying the drum H, to the lever 4'1, to effect avery rapid closing operation of the breaker.

It will thus be seen that the above arrangement provides an efiicientmeans for closing the breaker in which only a small amount of energy isutilized to drive the motor which in a relatively short period of timestores considerable kinetic energy in the flywheel, the energy stored inthe flywheel being utilized to effect the closing operation of thebreaker.

Attached to the helical gear 2| is a standard centrifugal switch 13 ofany conventional design which is provided to reclose the motor circuitwhenever the speed of the main shaft drops below a predetermined speed.This switch may be included in a control circuit of the motor. Anauxiliary switch 15 may be provided. This switch is shown mounted on abracket Tl extending from and secured to the main frame. The switch 15is operated by means of a shaft 19 which carries a crank arm 8|pivotally connected to an operating arm 83 by an adjustable connection85. The other end of the operating arm 83 is pivotally connected to asecond crank arm 81 carried by a coupling device 89 which is secured toa reduced portion of the hollow shaft 43. This switch may be used eitherto control the motor, the electro-ma'gnetic means I82 foroperating thebrake band M, or other apparatus in response to the operation of themain breaker.

Referring to Fig. 5, a manual operating means is provided for manuallyoperating the breaker to various'positions for adjustment or repair. Themanual operating means consists of a bracket 9I secured to the mainframe. The bracket carries a bent arm 93. The bracket and the bent endof the arm 93 are each provided with an opening 95 adapted to receive ashaft 91. The shaft 91 has a worm formed on one end thereof adapted tomesh with the teeth on the helical gear II. The opposite end of theshaft has a crank arm 99 and handle IOI secured thereto as shown in Fig.6. The end of the worm is provided with a hardened surface I03 adaptedto engage a hardened stud I secured to the frame. The shaft 91 is inserted in the openings 95 and the Worm thereof screwed into mesh withthe helical gear I! until the end I03 engages the stud I05. Now if theexternal or outer band 4| is tightened on the drum by a manual operationhereinafter described, the crank handle may be rotated to effect slowmovement of the breaker through the differential gearing mechanismdescribed in a preceding paragraph.

In most forms of oil breakers, the movement of the breaker operatingmechanism is limited and is spring biased to open position. Accordinglystop means must be provided to limit movement of the hollow operatingshaft 43. The stop means is best shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and consists ofstop lug I01 secured to the main frame, an open position stop projectionI09 formed integral with the external surface of the drum H and a closedstop projection I I I also formed integral with the drum 1I. These stopprojections are adapted to engage the opposite faces of the stop lug I01in the open and closed positions respectively of the breaker.

Since most oil circuit breakers are provided with a biasing spring forbiasing the breaker to the open circuit position as has been previouslymentioned; means are provided in the apparatus r for latching thebreaker in closed circuit position after it has been moved thereto bythe closing mechanism. The latch means consists of an integral curvedsurface II3 on the external rim of the drum H, a detent I I5 formedtherein to provide a latch engaging shoulder H1, and a latch I I 9pivoted on a support I2I secured to the frame. Referring to Fig. 2,, thelatch has a link I23 pivoted at one end to the nose of the latch, theother end of the link I23 is pivotally connected to one corner of alever arm I25 which is in turn pivoted adjacent its upper end to thestationary support IZI. The lever I25 has a projection I26 adapted toengage an edge of the support I2I to limit the movement thereof in aclockwise direction. The link I23 and the lever arm I25 thus form atoggle linkage and spring I21 has one end thereof secured to the supportI2I and its other end secured to the pivot point between the link I23and the lever I25. In Fig. 2, the latch is shown in latching positionholding the breaker in its closed position.

A combined manual and electromagnetic tripping mechanism is provided formoving the latch to the released position. This mechanism comprises alever I29 pivoted on a pin I3I secured to the main frame. The lever hasa manually operated handle portion I33 at one end thereof and carries apivot pin I35 at its other end. The pivot pin I35 rides in a slot I31provided in a link I39. The link I39 is pivotally connected at its otherend to the free end of the lever I 25. When the handle portion I33 isdepressed, the link I39 moves the lever I25 in a clockwise directioncausing the toggle linkage I23-I25 to collapse and thus move the latchII9 to released position. A slotted link I9! pivotally connects thelever I29 with the core I43 of a tripping solenoid I45. When thesolenoid is energized, the latch is moved to released position in thesame manner as when the lever I29 was manually operated.

A combined manual and electromagnet means is provided for operating theexternal brake band 4!. The brake band M has a lining I41 secured to itsinner surface, as by rivets, to frictionally engage the outer surface ofthe brake drum 31 and stop the same when the band is tightened. Thebrake band is held in spaced relation to the brake drum by means of aplurality of angle brackets I49 secured to the bolts 35. The bandcarries a plurality of radially extending bolts I5I each of which passesthrough an opening in its corresponding bracket. An expansion spring I53surrounds each bolt and engages its bracket at one end. The other end ofeach spring is held under tension against a washer and lock nut assemblyI55 carried by its bolt.

One end of the brake band is connected through an adjustable connectingmeans I51 to a pivot pin I59 on an eccentrically pivoted crank leverIBI. The other end of the brake band is connected through a biasingconnection to a second pivot pin I63 on the crank lever. The biasingconnection consists of a lug I95 secured to the frame having an openingtherein through which the connecting means for the brake band extends.

A Washer is secured to the connecting means and a spring I51 is coiledabout the connecting means and held in tension between the fixed lug andthe washer. The brake band is thus held biased in closely spacedrelation to the brake drum and allows the drum to rotate freely aboutits axis.

The mechanism for operating the brake band comprises the crank leverISI, which is pivotally mounted on a stud I69, carried by a U-shapedstop block I welded to a portion of the frame, a manual operating leverI1I adapted to fit in a socket provided in the crank lever, anelectromagnet I82 and pivoted armature I83 therefor, and a system oflevers and links for transmitting the motion of the armature to thecrank lever for operating the brake band to tighten the same. The shapeof crank lever I6! is best shown in Fig. 5. The lever includes a socketportion I13, which is. adapted to receive the operating lever I1 I, anda crank arm I15. Rotation of the crank lever in a counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 5 either by the operating lever I1I or bymovement of the crank arm I effects a counterclockwise movement of thepivot pins I59 and I63 which later movement results in a tightening ofthe brake band on the brake drum. It will be noted that the pivot pinsI59 and I63 are located relatively close to the pivot point of the cranklever whereas the socket 113 and the end of the crank arm are eachspaced a considerable distance from the same. This arrangement providesa considerable mechanical advantage for the operating lever and crankarm, whereby a relatively slight force applied to either will result ina large force applied to the pins I59 and I63 for tightening the brakeband on the drum.

An opening I19 is cut in the frame for receiving the electromagnetassembly. A plurality of angle pieces consisting of laminated plates ofmagnetic material I11 are secured as by bolts I19 to the top of theframe and cooperate with a core I8I to form a path for the flux producedby the electromagnet. An armature I03 is pivotally secured to a cradleI94 which is in turn pivoted at I31 on extensions formed on the legs ofthe angle pieces; the armature extending to a position adjacent the polefaces of the electromagnet.

Referring to Fig. 2, the linkage for connecting the armature with thecrank arm I GI consists of a bell crank I pivoted as at I81 to theframe, having one leg secured to a side lug I88 carried by the cradleI84, by means of nut and bolt assemblies I89. The other leg of the bellcrank is pivotally connected to a second bell crank lever I9I by a pinI93. A link I is pivoted at one end to a pin I91 carried by the end ofthe crank arm I15 and at the other end to one leg I99 of the bell crankIQI by a pin 20L When the link I95 and the leg I99 of the second bellcrank I9I are held in alignment, movement of the armature to itsattracted position will cause the bell crank 85 to rotate in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 2 toimpart a thrust to the pin I91; thethrust being in a direction to cause the crank lever I6I to rotate in acounter-clockwise direction to effect tightening of the brake band.

A link 203 is pivoted adjacent one end to the pivot pin 20I whichconnects the link I95 to the leg I99. The other end of the link 293 isprovided with a slot for receiving a pivot pin which is carried by oneend of a bell crank lever 205. The other end of the bell crank lever 205is pivotally connected to the pivot pin which connects link I39 to thelever I25. The bell crank lever 205 is pivotally hung by means of anextension 206 formed integral therewith to the pivot pin which supportsthe lever I25. A spring 201, connected between the end of link 203 andan extension I89 of bell crank I85, biases the link I95 and the leg I99of the bell crank I9I to their aligned positions in which positions thereduced end of the leg I99 engages a portion of the crank arm I15 asshown in Fig. 5 to prevent further upward movement of aforesaid members.The link I95 and the leg I99 of the bell crank I9I thus form a togglelink which is biased by the spring 201 to what will be referred to as anoperative position in which the link I95 and the leg I99 are held inalignment by the reduced end of the leg I99 engaging a portion of thecrank arm as explained above.

The end 209 of the bell crank I9! is positioned to be engaged by a lug2! I formed on the rim of the drum member 1I, during clockwise rotationof the same, at a time just prior to that in which the latch II9 dropsinto latching position in its detent II5.

An auxiliary switch 2 I3 is secured to the frame adjacent theelectromagnet assembly and is provided with a pair of terminals 2I5adapted to be connected in a control or indicator circuit not shown. Theswitch 253 consists of a stationary contact 2I1 and a movable contact 2|9. The movable contact is biased to open position by means of a spring22 l, and is adapted to be moved to closed position when the armatureI83 is attracted by means of a projecting bent arm, carried by theextension I96 of the bell crank I95, which engages an adjusting screw220 secured for movement with the movable contact carrying arm.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: With the parts in theposition shown in Fig. 2 in which the breaker is closed; rotation of thelever I29 in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot I3I, eitherby manual operation of the same or by energization of the tripelectromagnet I45 will. move the lever I25 in a clockwise direction toeffect movement of the latch to the released position. The biasingspring of the breaker will cause the breaker to move to the openposition and which will result in upward movement of the breakeroperating rod 3I and counterclockwise rotation of the hollow shaft 43and drum H. The drum 1| will rotate until the projection I09 engages thestop lug I01. The latch now rests on the rim II3 of the drum H. Thebreaker is now in the full open position.

The motor 1 may be either continuously rotated at a predetermined speedunder the control of the centrifugal switch 13 or it may be started uponmovement of the breaker to open position by the closing of switch 15through the movement of the switch operating means Ill-89 caused byrotation of the hollow shaft 43. The motor circuit may also be closed byany suitable form of control switch either by manual operation orautomatically to suit the particular needs. The breaker closingoperation is performed in the following manner: If the motor is notoperating under control of the centrifugal switch, the motor circuit isclosed either manually or by operation of the automatic switchconsequent to the opening of the breaker. The motor reaches normal speedin approximately 10 seconds, at which time considerable kinetic energyis stored in the flywheel. Up to this point, the brake drum is rotatingrelatively slowly under the influence of the planetary gears as has beenpreviously explained. Energization of the electromagnet I 82 causes thearmature I83 to move to its attracted position and since the togglelinkage formed by the link I95 and the leg I99 of the bell crank is inthe operative position, i. e., with the link and leg held substantiallyin alignment by the spring 201, the crank lever I6I is rotated in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. This movement of thecrank lever effects tightening of the brake band and stops the rotationof the brake drum. The reaction produced causes the drum 1! to be drivenby the gears 63, I55 and 69. The drum II and hollow shaft 43 now rotatein a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 and causes the crank 41 onthe squared portion of the shaft 43 to move the breaker operating rod 3|downwardly to close the breaker. Immediately after the drum H hasrotated a sufficient amount to close the breaker the projection 2IIengages and moves the bell crank I9I in a counterclockwise direction.This movement of the bell crank breaks the toggle linkage consisting oflink I95 and leg I99 thus releasing the crank lever I 6| and brake bandfrom the influence of the armature. At substantially the same instantthe latch II9 drops into the detent II1 to hold the breaker in itsclosed position. At this time, the projection III engages the stop lugI01 to prevent any further movement of the drum 1 I. The same closingoperation may be effected by manually depressing the operating lever I1I. The closing operation is effected in approximately of a second.

If during the closing operation, the tripping magnet I45 is energized,the closing stroke is interrupted and the breaker returns to the fullopen position. This is accomplished by downward movement of the link 203caused by the clockwise rotation of the lever I25 influenced by thetripping movement of lever I29.

The link 75 203 in moving downward breaks the toggle linkage I-I99 inthe same manner as is effected by the lug 2 I I engaging the bell crankI9I. This results in the release of the brake band as described above.Consequently, the breaker is free to move to its open position under theinfluence of its biasing spring. The closing of the breaker may bestarted at any point in the opening cycle after deenergization of thetrip magnet by tightening the brake band either manually or by theelectromagnet I82 through the linkage system. This is a desirablefeature, since, if the breaker is used in a system arranged for quickautomatic reclosing, it is advantageous to stop the moving contact ofthe breaker during its opening movement and return it to closed positionbefore it has reached its full open position. This is possible since thearc is extinguished and the circuit cleared when the contacts haveseparated to only a fraction of their full travel Since the structuralarrangement of the control apparatus is such that the driving connectionbetween the flywheel and the breaker operating rod 3| can be establishedin any position of the operating rod even during circuit openingmovement of the rod, the above-mentioned automatic quick reclosingoperation can be accomplished by automatically closing the circuit tothe brake band controlling electromagnet I82 at a predetermined point inthe circuit opening movement of the breaker operating rod 3|, namely, ata point in the circuit opening movement of the rod 3| immediately afterthe are at the breaker contacts has been extinguished and before the rodhas been moved to its full open circuit position. The circuit for theelectromagnet I82 may be automatically closed at such predeterminedpoint by a switch which is closed at such predetermined point in theopening cycle of the breaker. For example, a certain pair of thecontacts of the auxiliary switch I5 may be arranged to close the circuitto the electromagnet I82 at the above-mentioned predetermined point inthe opening cycle of the breaker to accomplish the quick automaticreclosing operation. The control apparatus is thus adapted for quickautomatic reclosing of the circuit breaker and when so operated thereclosing time is materially reduced as well as the time of serviceinterruption.

The switches and control electromagnets may be connected in numerouscircuit relationships to exercise control of the, apparatus. Certain ofthe switches may be connected to indicator circuits for indicating theoperation of the apparatus and/or the position of the breaker. With theparts of the apparatus at rest and the motor circuit open, the breakermay be manually operated to any position by holding the operating leverIII in its downward position to tighten the brake band, and rotating thecrank 99.

The breaker may be moved to its closed position when the flywheel isrotating by depressing the handle I45 to tighten the brake band.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved apparatus forcontrolling a breaker, which may be either full or semi-automatic inoperation or which may be operated manually to control the operation ofthe breaker. The compact arrangement of the differential clutchstructure greatly reduces the number of parts necessary and the spaceoccupied by the apparatus as a whole.

. The relative sizes of the various parts may be changed to suit theparticular needs. Likewise various changes may be made in the mechanicalstructure of the apparatus without departing from the spirit of theinvention. For example, the flywheel may be dispensed with and the massof motor armature and/or the mass of the shaft and gears may function asthe energy storing means.

My copending application for Control apparatus Serial No. 111,822, filedNovember 30, 1936, forms a continuation-in-part of the presentapplication.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed theforegoing details of one form of my invention, it is to be understoodthat the broad principles disclosed are capable of much widerapplication and that many of the details are merely illustrative. Idesire, therefore, that the language of the accompanying claims shall beaccorded the broadest reasonable construc tion and that my inventionwill be limited by only what is expressly stated therein and by theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch operating mechanism, an actuating member for moving theswitch to an open or closed circuit position, a shaft, a relativelyheavy mass rotatable with said shaft, means for driving said shaft, adifferential gear train including a rotating member driven by said shaftand a main gear member connected to said actuating member, said rotatingmember when stopped causing said mass and main gear to move actuatingmember to its switch closed position, and means for stopping rotation ofsaid rotating member.

2. In a circuit controlling system including a switch, a switchoperating member for moving said switch to an open or closed circuitposition, a control apparatus for said operating member comprising ashaft, a relatively heavy flywheel secured on said shaft, an electricmotor for driving said shaft, a differential gear train including arotating member driven by said shaft and a main gear member connected tosaid operating member, said rotating member when stopped causing saidflywheel to drive said main gear to move said switch to its closedposition, said rotating member and main gear member disposedconcentrically about said shaft and forming a housing for said geartrain, and means for stopping rotation of said rotating member.

3. In a circuit controlling system, a circuit breaker, an operatingmember connected to said breaker and movable to an open or to a closedcircuit position to open or to close said breaker, means biasing saidbreaker to its open circuit position, control apparatus for said breakercomprising a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured on said shaft forrotation therewith, an electric motor for driving said shaft, adifferential gear mechanism including a brake drum driven by said shaftand a main gear member connected to said operating member, said drum;when stopped causing said mass and shaft to drive said main gear memberthrough said gear mechanism and move said operating member to its closedcircuit position, means for stopping rotation of said brake drum, meansfor automatically latching said gear member to hold said operatingmember in its closed circuit position, and means for automaticallyreleasing said brake drum when said operating member arrives at itsclosed circuit position to disconnect said mass from said main gear.

4. In a circuit controlling system, a circuit breaker, a circuit breakeroperating means for moving said breaker to an open or to a closedcircuit position, means biasing said breaker to its open circuitposition, a control apparatus for said operating means comprising ashaft, a flywheel secured on said shaft, a motor means for rotating saidflywheel and shaft, a differential gear mechanism including a brake drumdriven by said shaft and a main gear member connected to said operatingmeans, a normally inactive brake means for said drum, means foroperating said brake means to stop rotation of said drum to cause saidflywheel to drive said main gear and effect a closing operation of saidbreaker.

5. In a circuit controlling system, a circuit breaker, operating meansfor moving said breaker to an open or to a closed circuit position,means biasing said breaker to its open circuit position, a controlapparatus for said operating means comprising a shaft, a relativelyheavy flywheel secured on said shaft, a motor means for rotating saidflywheel and shaft, a differential gear mechanism including a brake drumdriven by said shaft and a main gear member connected to said operatingmeans, a normally inactive brake means for said drum, means foroperating said brake means to stop rotation of said drum to cause saidflywheel to drive said main gear and effect a closing operation of saidbreaker, and auxiliary switch means operated by said main gear.

6. In a circuit controlling system, a circuit breaker, operating meansfor moving said breaker to an open or to a closed circuit position,means biasing said breaker to its open circuit position, a controlapparatus for said operating means comprising a shaft, a relativelyheavy flywheel secured on said shaft, a motor means for rotating saidflywheel and shaft, a differential gear mechanism including a brake drumdriven by said shaft and a main gear member connected to said operatingmeans, said brake drum and said main gear member being concentricallydisposed about said shaft and forming a housing for the gears of saiddifferential gear mechanism, a normally inactive brake means for saiddrum, means for operating said brake means to stop rotation of said drumto cause said flywheel to drive said main gear and effect a closingoperation of said breaker.

7. In a circuit controlling system, a circuit breaker, operating meansfor moving said breaker to an open or to a closed circuit position,means biasing said breaker to its open circuit position, a controlapparatus for said operating means comprising a shaft, a relativelyheavy mass secured on said shaft, a motor means for rotating said massand shaft, a differential gear mechanism including a brake drum drivenby said shaft and a main gear member connected to said operating means,a normally inactive brake means for said drum, manual and currentresponsive means for operating said brake means to stop rotation of saiddrum to cause said mass to drive said main gear and effect a closingoperation of said breaker.

8. In circuit controlling apparatus, a switch, a switch operating membermovable to an open or to a closed circuit position to open or close saidswitch, a flywheel, motor means for rotating the same, a differentialgear mechanism. including a brake drum driven by said flywheel and amain gear connected to said switch operating member, a brake bandsurrounding said brake drum and slightly spaced therefrom,electromagnetic means for tightening said brake band to stop said drumand cause said flywheel to drive said main gear and effect a closingoperation of said switch.

9. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker operatingmember biased to an open circuit position and movable to a closedcircuit position, a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured on said shaftfor rotation therewith, a motor means for driving said mass and shaft, adifferential gear mechanism including a brake drum driven by said shaftand a main gear connected to said operating member, said brake drum whenstopped causing said mass to drive said main gear and move saidoperating member to its closed circuit position, and means for stoppingsaid brake drum.

10. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker operatingmember biased to an open circuit position and movable to a closedcircuit position, a shaft, a flywheel secured on said shaft, a motormeans for driving said flywheel and shaft, a differential gear mechanismincluding a brake drum driven by said shaft and a main gear connected tosaid operating member, said brake drum when stopped causing saidfiywheel to drive said main gear and move said operating member to itsclosed circuit position, means for stopping said brake drum, means forautomatically latching said operating member in its closed circuitposition, and means for automatically releasing said brake drum whensaid operating member arrives at its closed circuit position.

11. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker operatingmember biased to an open circuit position and movable to a closedcircuit position, a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured on said shaftfor rotation therewith, a' motor means for driving said mass and shaft,a differential gear mechanism including a brake drum driven by saidshaft and a main gear connected to said operating member, said brakedrum when stopped causing said mass to drive said main gear and movesaid operating member to its closed circuit position, means for stoppingsaid brake drum, means for automatically latching said operating memberin its closed circuit position, means for automatically releasing saidbrake drum when said operating member arrives at its closed circuitposition, and a trip device for releasing said latch to allow saidbreaker to move to its open circuit position.

12. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker operatingmember biased to an open circuit position and movable to a closedcircuit position, a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured on saidshaft, a motor means for driving said mass and shaft, a differentialgear mechanism including a brake drum driven by said shaft and a maingear connected to said operating member, said brake drum when stoppedcausing said mass to drive said main gear and move said operating memberto its closed circuit position, means for stopping said brake drum,means for automatically latching said operating member in its closedcircuit position, and means for automatically releasing said brake drumwhen said operating member arrives at its closed circuit position, and acurrent responsive trip device for releasing said latch to allow saidbreaker to move to its open circuit position.

13. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker operatingmember biased to an open. circuit position and movable to a closedcircuit position, a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured to saidshaft, a differential gear mechanism including a brake drum driven bysaid shaft and a main gear connected to said operating member, saidbrake drum when stopped causing said mass to drive said main gear andmove said operating member to its closed circuit position, means forstopping said brake drum, means for automatically latching saidoperating member in its closed circuit position, means for automaticallyreleasing said brake drum when said operating member arrives at itsclosed circuit position, and a trip device for releasing said latch toallow said breaker to move to its open circuit position and meansinterconnecting said trip device and said drum stopping means forrendering said drum stopping means ineffective during actuation of saidtrip device.

14. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker operatingmember biased to an open circuit position and movable to a closedcircuit position, a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured on saidshaft, a motor means for driving said mass and shaft, a differentialgear mechanism including a brake drum driven by said shaft and a maingear connected to said operating member, said brake drum when stoppedcausing said mass to drive said main gear and move said operating memberto its closed circuit position, means for stopping said brake drum,means for automatically latching said operating member in its closedcircuit position, means for automatically releasing said brake drum whensaid operating member arrives at its closed circuit position, and acurrent responsive trip device for releasing said latch to allow saidbreaker to move its open circuit position, and means interconnectingsaid trip device and said drum stopping means for rendering said drumstopping means ineffective during actuation of said trip device.

15. A circuit breaker control apparatus comprising a breaker operatingmember movable to an open or closed circuit position, a shaft, arelatively heavy flywheel secured on said shaft, a motor for drivingsaid shaft, a differential gear train including a brake drum driven bysaid shaft and a main gear member connected to said operating member,said drum and main gear being concentrically disposed about said shaftand forming a housing for the gears of said train and means for stoppingrotation of said brake drum to cause said flywheel to drive said maingear and move said operating member to its closed circuit position.

16. In circuit controlling apparatus, a switch, a switch operatingmember, a rotating relatively heavy mass, and means including adifferential gear train and clutch device for transmitting therotational energy of said mass to said switch operating member to closesaid switch.

17. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a switch, a switch operatingmember, means biasing said switch to an open position, a relativelyheavy mass, means for. rotating said mass to store energy in the same,means including a differential gear train and clutch device forconnecting said mass to said switch operating member to close saidswitch, and means for automatically disconnecting said mass from itsconnection to said switch operating member when said switch reaches itsclosed position.

18. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a switch, a switch operatingmember, means biasing said switch to an open position, a relativelyheavy flywheel, means for rotating said flywheel to store energy in thesame, means including a differential gear train for connecting saidflywheel to said switch operating member to close said switch, means forautomatically disconnecting said flywheel from its connection to saidswitch operating member when said switch reaches its closed position,and means for latching said operating member to releasably hold saidswitch in its closed position.

19. In a controlling apparatus for a switch, an operating member for theswitch, a shaft, a relatively heavy mass secured to said shaft forrotation therewith, means for driving said shaft, a differential geartrain driven by said shaft, current responsive means for causing therotational energy of said mass to be transmitted through said gear trainto said operating member.

20. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a circuit breaker biased to openposition, an operating member connected to said breaker and movable toclose or open the same, a rotatable shaft, a flywheel secured on saidshaft, a differential gear train concentrically disposed about saidshaft, said gear train including a main internal gear connected to saidoperating member, a sun gear secured for rotation with said shaft, and aplurality of planetary gears meshing with said sun gear and main gearand rotatably secured to a brake drum, a brake band surrounding andspaced from said brake drum, and current responsive means for tighteningsaid band to stop said drum.

21. Circuit controlling" apparatus comprising a switch operating member,movable to an open circuit or to a closed circuit position, a shaft, aflywheel on said shaft, means for driving said shaft, a differentialgear train including a sun gear having a relatively small number ofteeth secured on said shaft, a drum having a relatively large number ofgear teeth on its internal periphery, and a rotatable brake drum havingits rim concentrically disposed about the first drum and carryingplanetary gears in mesh with said sun gear and the teeth of said drum,said first drum being connected to said operating member, and means forstopping rotation of said brake drum to cause said flywheel to move saidoperating member to its closed position.

22. In a circuit controlling apparatus, a frame, a hollow shaftrotatably mounted in said frame, a drum secured on said shaft at one endthereof, an internal gear secured to the inner surface of the rim ofsaid drum, a brake drum mounted opposite said first drum for rotation onsaid frame about the same axis as said shaft and first drum With the rimof said brake drum overlapping the rim of said first drum to form a gearhousing, a brake band mounted on said frame surrounding the rim of saidbrake drum and spaced from the same, a main shaft rotatably mounted onsaid frame and extending through said hollow shaft and drums, means fordriving said main shaft, a flywheel secured to said main shaft, saidmain shaft having a sun gear formed thereon within the housing formed bythe drums, a pair of intermediate gears rotatably secured to the brakedrum Within the housing formed by the drums, and meshing with the sungear and internal gear, a crank arm secured to a portion of said hollowshaft and pivotally connected to a switch operating rod, andelectromagnetic means for tightening said brake band to stop said drumto cause said flywheel to operate said rod.

JOSEPH W. OW.

